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AUGUST 2014 VOLUME 16 ISSUE 8 Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus
Summer is a great time to move! Call us now on 01622 858241 to find out why…
Longer sunny days – Everyone feels better and everything looks better in the sunshine, including your home. Clean, tidy & fresh – It is much easier to keep your home clean, tidy and viewing ready when no one is home to make it messy! 02
Wheat from the Chaff – With many people away on their Summer holidays, it often leaves the most serious buyers and potential tenants behind. Sunnier economic climate – As well as an improvement in the weather, this year has also seen an improvement in the economic climate. Property prices in this area have been rising steadily in a healthier property market.
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T: 01622 858241 E: homes@philipjarvis.co.uk A: 1 The Square, Lenham, Maidstone, Kent ME17 2PH W: www.philipjarvis.co.uk
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Welcome... to the August edition of the Lenham Focus The summer is here and its time to make the most of Lenham and the surrounding area. There are plenty of good walks and great local pubs to visit as well as the Cherry Downs Picnic Site on Rayners Hill so get out and make the most of the weather.
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The Parish Council have two positions to fill and anyone who want to get involved in the village and its future should apply. These are very interesting times for the Village and with the local plan being developed and the announcement of potential major housing developments now is the time to help shape the future of where we live. The Len Valley Group of Churches are also looking for a PA/admin assistant, see the advert in the magazine. I would also like to promote a couple of events for Emilia’s Little Heart Charity. On Friday 19th September Victoria’s Cabaret Club is hosting a night of entertainment with a two course dinner and raffle for £25 per head. There is also the annual Hope Ball on the 18th October, more details on this next month. Although these events are a little way off tickets are selling fast so make sure you get yours early.
Welcome
James Collett Focus Editor 01622 850608
editorialslf@gmail.com
Lenham Focus Volume 16 Issue 8 | August 2014 Circulation 2000
AUG 14 Editorial: James Collett, Annie Drylie 07956629772 | editorialslf@gmail.com Advertising: Mark Dunbar, Chris Wood 07808863227 | advertslf@gmail.com Finance: Sue Marchant, Jenny Wood 01622 858511 | 07788163828 | lenhamfocusinvoices@gmail.com Distribution: Gez Clark 07784 447200 Proofing: Jayne Hewish, Katy Bennett Interviews – Jim Myers Social: Jemma Cockell, Liz Webb Support: Margo MacFarlane Printed by: Gemini Print
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Copy Deadline: 7th of the preceding month. Please leave copy at 24A Maidstone Road or contact us. Advertising rates (Sep 2012) Eighth page Quarter Page Half Page Inside Cover Full Page Inside Cover Half Page Full Page Outside Back Cover Front cover available once a year per advertiser Print + Deliver Single Sided A5 Insert Double Sided A5 Insert
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Your Focus Team We are the team behind the Lenham Focus, we build the magazine from start to finish every month. For you.
Writing: James Collett Although James is not, and never has been, involved in publishing he works on the Focus to ensure the village is always up to date with events and to provide local businesses with a low cost publication to advertise in. As with all the team he gives up his time in between work and family and is always grateful to the contributors who make the job so much easier. 06
Design: Flowbox Flowbox are an innovative young creative agency based in Maidstone. Established in 2012 they have been providing the Focus with their time and design services for free. Flowbox works with all sorts of clients from one-man bands to huge corporations. If there’s something you’re after, get in touch! thinkflowbox.co.uk
Contributors
Photography: Andy Flood Andy has been providing photography to the focus since the launch of the new design. Consistently he has provided amazing shots, especially the front covers. Check out his Flickr Photostream! http://www.flickr.com/photos/ 35132157@N04/
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Your Focus Team While I have been away Annie has been hard at work putting together a crack squad of Lenham residents to help put the Focus together and make sure it is out on time and always interesting. We have had a number of meetings now and there are some exciting developments being discussed but our first job is to get the Focus
back on track. If you think you can help with the team please get in touch as the more help the better. I would like to thank all the volunteers for stepping forward and I look forward to working with them all to take the Focus into its next phase. James Collett
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At The Great British Kitchen, our aim is to cook the best traditional ingredients as simply as possible, letting the quality of the produce and the magnificent view across the Castle’s moat speak for themselves. The Great British Kitchen is open for bookings from 7pm. Free parking is available, please use the Broomfield Road entrance from the A20.
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Dates for Your Diary
AUG
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LAMIDORE choir will take place on Friday 15/08/2014 at 7PM in St Mary’s Church. Please come!
AUG
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Lenham Community Centre where we will be commemorating an hundred years of Lenham life.
Borough Council Corner 16
I would like to thank all those who supported me during May’s Borough Election. I was very pleased to be elected and I am keen to support those in the area to the best of my ability. As an elected representative I believe part of the role is to be involved with village organisations, community events and activities and this has been our philosophy for many years. I am currently working with Golding Homes, Environmental Health, Kent Highways, the borough’s planning department
Dates for Your Diary
and other agencies. I can be contacted by phone and email. 01622 859412 mobile 07891 901 831 janettasamscllr@gmail.com Kind Regards Janetta Sams Borough Councillor Harrietsham & Lenham Ward
Church and children: can the two mix? Some people think their young children would spoil the peace and quiet of a traditional church service. They can’t cope with the potential embarrassment of a toddler having a tantrum or a small child not able to whisper or sit still! So they stay away. What a pity as spiritual development is so important for our children today.
Here in the Len Valley Churches we want to be able to help by offering an alternative to our regular Sunday services. So in September we are starting a much shorter, informal service, first thing on a Sunday morning, beginning with toast, tea and coffee where the children won’t need to be shushed and can join in at their level.
Many parents want their children to get to know the stories from the Bible and to have a firm foundation for their lives. But they are not sure where to start.
Come and try us out when we start our new weekly service at 9.30 on Sundays in St Mary’s, Lenham in September. 17
Hedge Cutting Lenham Parish Council request that parishioners please keep their property boundary hedges cut back as much as possible. We have received correspondence from concerned residents pointing out that in certain areas of the village pedestrians have to step out on to the road to avoid overgrown hedges which are infringing on the pavements.
The situation is exacerbated when people also have to try and negotiate the overgrown vegetation whilst trying to push pushchairs or are in wheelchairs. Please be considerate to fellow residents and cut back your hedges as soon as possible. Thank you.
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Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings Young at Heart 60+ Club & Age Concern Hub - Lenham Family Festival 7th June
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What a great day – the heavy downpour dulled the mood but soon the sun shone and blessed us all with perfect weather. Congratulations to Tom & Janetta Sams, Brian & Jo Llong, Margo McFarlane and all those who helped with the organisation, what a great team. Hopefully like us the local clubs had a brilliant day which was due to the support from all the visitors –thank you. Please tell all your family & friends who were unable to come what a great day they missed and we hope to see you all again next year. Jenny & Nina Len Valley Hub Club Age Uk We hope everyone enjoyed their day at Bexhill-on-Sea on Thursday 26/06/14. The weather was sunny but a bit breezy especially walking along the Prom. The fish and chip restaurant we found was fantastic!! Spent some money on new handbags and a double
Clubs, Societies, Organisations and Gatherings
scoop ice cream, mmm yummy. Our next meeting will be Thursday 07/08/14 at the Social Club 2.00pm-4.00pm. Hope everyone can make it. We have Sixpenny Piece coming to entertain us. Our thanks to the staff at the Social Club. Martin, Tom, John, Jenny and Nina Young At Heart Club 60+ We hope everyone enjoyed the visit from Bon Marche in June. It was great trying on some of the clothes and walking out in front of you all. Thank you so much for your support. Our next meeting will be Thursday 21/08/14. This will be the Strawberry Tea. Unfortunately we cannot use the Tithe barn so it will be at the Community Centre. It may not be like other years so please bear with us. We will do our very best to make it as enjoyable as possible. There will be some entertainment but we will keep it as a surprise. The time is the same 2.00pm-4.00pm PLEASE can everyone wait until 2.00pm before coming into the
hall as we have a lot of preparing to do. Thank you in advance. We look forward to seeing you all on the 21/08/14. Many thanks to all the backroom boys and girls. If anyone requires a lift please call Jenny on 01622859208. Lenham Heritage On 25th June we had an Extra General Meeting for Lenham Archaeological Society to decide the way forward for the group. Seven members attended and as there are only (at present ) 27 paid up members in all we had a quorum. It was decided “Yes, we did need a new name and genre for the group”. Voting was unanimously passed for converting to ‘Lenham Heritage’. Group or Society? was the next question ….but we decided as English Heritage exists why not just Lenham Heritage ? So that is what we have become. The programme had already been planned last year so for the time
being I will still take the Chair for meetings. As if to confirm the need for being a heritage group Andrew Barr told me that the Milestone Society had contacted him about a very old milestone on the A20. They started their group around 2001, logging and studying, preserving all the remaining milestones in the country. That is just part of what the term heritage means . Incidentally there was an even older way-mark stone , a standing sarsen stone , discovered a few years ago at the top of East Lenham drive that would date back to the Bronze Age and Neolithic!
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Our first talk in the autumn is by Paula Jardine–Rose about her group’s ongoing discoveries in Newnham and the Doddington Valley. 7.30 pm in Lenham Osborne Room Wednesday September 24th If you wish to join our “new” group our subscription is £10 a year. Our treasurer is Keith Varney and he would welcome prompt payments. Lesley Feakes 850275
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Focus on Nature
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The common spear thistle, Cirsium Lanceolatum, is now in bloom locally, quite a handsome wild plant despite being generally regarded as a nuisance, not least by farmers. It thrives in fields, on hillsides where the grass is fairly short, on waste ground and along roadsides. The problem for most people comes from the flanges of the leaves and stems which bear sharp and strongly aggressive spines. The flower heads of this thistle are enclosed in a tight involucre of spiny bracts and the ripening fruit develop a pappus of very long, feathery hairs. When that fruit ripens, each becomes enshrouded in a delicate sphere of those hairs and can be released by even the most gentle movement of air, causing them to float for some miles over the countryside, thus spreading the species with great efficiency. A truly beautiful sight when seen with huge numbers of them in the sky. Another reason for its unpopularity is the tough, stubborn rootstock which also spreads the plant rapidly, even after it has been cut down, an event dramatically described in a poem.. ‘Thistles’ by Ted Hughes… ‘Then they grow grey like men. Mown down, it is a feud. Their sons
Focus on Nature
appear Stiff with weapons, fighting back over the same ground.’ Around Lenham pond and nearby streams, Bulrushes are now in bloom, Scirpus lacustris. For me, these trigger memories of 75 years ago when I was a choirboy at St. Martin’s church in Canterbury, listening each Sunday to the rich language of the King James Bible. There we find the daughter of Levi has given birth to a baby son and has desperately hidden him to escape the Pharaoh’s orders that every new-born male child must be killed… ‘and when she could no longer hide him, she took for him an arc of bulrushes and daubed it with slime and with pitch and put the child therein: and she laid it in the flags by the river’s edge’. (Exodus 2.3.) That baby of course became Moses who grew up to deliver the Hebrew slaves from Egypt. Those Biblical bulrushes belong to a related genus, growing still prolifically along the Nile Delta, whilst our own Flags, Iris pseudacorus showed off their lovely blooms back in April. Gazing on Lenham pond brought another scene of life, one from
Tennyson’s lovely poem, in which Sir Bedevere hurls his trusty sword Excalibar into the lake, but soon a beautiful arm ‘clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful’ triumphantly holds the sword above the surface. That image also brings to mind an expensively and
lavishly costumed ITV commercial, filmed some years ago, in which that same arm emerged holding a bottle of ale! Perhaps it’s as well that I can’t recall the brand! Derek Budge
“Lenham and the Great War” by Amy Myers Review by Pat Abson I found Amy’s book fascinating. It seems a little gruesome in parts but that is hardly surprising in view of the subject matter. She brings the characters to life with a great warmth and it is so interesting to read about the people who lived here in Lenham and fought for us in World War 1. There is also much information about local shops, houses, cottages and farms and also the businesses that were carried out in this local area
were not over when they returned, those that did return. There were many with permanent injuries, no jobs available for them, and many with strained family relationships.
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James T. Hatch would be very proud and pleased to see this wonderful book, as a tribute to all those on his list. Pat Abson
I was in tears at the end of the book, having read about the pain and hardship the soldiers endured during the war. Their difficulties
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Lenham Cricket Club
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The Saturday side kick off this month’s round up; they travelled to Milstead on 07/06/2014. Lenham and Milstead were both looking for their first wins of the season. Milstead batted first and were bowled out for 209 inside 42 overs. Adrian Longley picked up 4 wickets for 39 runs, Jack Ambrose 3 for 29 and Tom Curtis 2 for 20. Lenham would have fancied their chances to chase down the target but fell well short, dismissed for just 97. A few batsmen got starts, Adrian Longley 19, Alan Barr and Tony Ambrose 17, but no one was able to push on and make a meaningful score. The Sunday side were expecting to play host to Kennington, but were let down at short notice. An emergency fixture was hastily arranged, Nurstead were Kennington’s replacement. Nurstead won the toss and decided to bat first. An extremely talented Nurstead side played within themselves to post 222 off 40 overs. The score could have been less without an 18 ball 50 hit by their number 7. Jack Ambrose picked up 2 of 5 wickets to fall. Lenham who only had 8 players and were loaned a couple by the opposition, struggled in the run chase. Only Tom Curtis, 53 and
Lenham Cricket Club
Nick Rutledge made it into double figures. Lenham were dismissed for 110 in the final over of the match. With the Saturday side still looking for their first win of the season, they travelled to Marden. Lenham were only able to field 10 players on the day. Marden batted first and Lenham got off to a good start when Tom Curtis dismissed their opening batsman with the first ball of the game. Unfortunately that was the highlight of the innings for Lenham as Marden went on to score 295 runs. Tom Curtis and Nick Rutledge picked up 3 wickets each, there were also 3 run outs. The run chase always looked unlikely from the outset for Lenham. Nick Rutledge (34) and Pete Humphries (54) put on 86 for the first wicket. Tom Curtis contributed 35 in Lenham’s total of 186. The Sunday side had a better day when they entertained the Priory the following day. Lenham won the toss and decided to bat first. Lenham reached 154 runs off their 40 overs. Tom Curtis 39 and Matt Revitt 46 were the Lenham batsmen of note. In response Lenham bowled out The Priory for 100. The wickets were shared
around, Dave Seals 3, Dave Gardner, Tom Curtis and Dave Seaman each picking up 2. Next up for the Saturday side were Meopham at home. Meopham scored 255 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. Jack Gracie took 3 wickets for 47 runs. Lenham struggled from the beginning in the run chase, slumping to 12 runs for the loss of 4 wickets. Lenham finally reached 81 all out, the only real resistance coming from Dave Seales who reached 25. The only other batsmen to reach double figures were Adrian Longley (17) and Tony Ambrose (16). The Sunday side travelled to Willesborough the following day. Willesborough won the toss and decided to field first. Lenham scored 194 off their 40 overs. Matt Revitt (54) and Tom Curtis (72) were the pick of the Lenham batsmen. In response Willesborough never looked like reaching the target and ended their 40 overs on 118. 8 bowlers were used by Lenham. Tom Curtis took 2 wickets, Chris Smith, Matt Revitt and Alex Gray took the other 3 wickets to fall. The fine weather of the previous week was a distant memory when the Saturday side played host to
Stowting. Showers throughout the afternoon meant the game had been reduced to 40 overs per side. Lenham bowled first and despite an early breakthrough Stowting scored 290 runs. Steve Livesey took 5 wickets for 36 runs, and Jack Ambrose 3 for 78. Lenham struggled in the run chase, the only highlight being Adrian Longley’s 67. Alex Gray (23) and Howard Nurden (22)were the only other notable contributors. Lenham finally reached 177 in reply. Hopefully July will bring the Saturday side some better form and results. The final weekend update of the month saw the Sunday side entertain Newington. Newington won the toss and put Lenham into bat. Lenham got off to a shaky start and were 5 wickets down with just 43 runs on the board. However a good partnership between Stuart Russell (59) and Jack Gracie (46) stabilised things for Lenham and saw them reach 163 runs off 40 overs. In a really tight game Newington initially looked well set in the run chase but a loss of quick wickets saw them 9 wickets down when they scored the winning runs in the 36th over. Dave Seales and Tom Curtis each took 3 wickets. With two more meetings
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Continued... scheduled against Newington later in the season hopefully Lenham will be able to get the upper hand next time round. Lenham have been involved in a mid week 20/20 competition. In Lenham’s group were Bearsted, Smarden and Marden. Unfortunately Lenham were unable to beat any of the opposition and finished bottom of the group. Fixtures cards are available at various establishments in the village, but if you don’t have a copy the next few fixtures are as follows; Saturday 16th August
Stowting away, Sunday 17th August Newington away, Saturday 23rd August Headcorn away, Sunday 24th August fixture TBC, Saturday 30th August Sheldwich away, Sunday 31st August Detling away, Saturday 6th September Boughton & Eastwell away, Sunday 7th September Hartley away, Sunday 14th September Harrietsham home. If you’re interested in joining the club, please contact us at lenhamcc@gmail.com or call 07725 632955, and remember, visitors are always welcome on match days! 27
LPC Vacancy Lenham Parish Council has a vacancy for a member to join the council. The position is voluntary and involves the minimum attendance of one monthly meeting. The LPC meet on the first Wednesday of each month in the Osborne room at the Lenham Community Centre, Groom Way, Lenham, ME17 2QT. Applicants should reside within the parish and be on the electoral
register. We are interested in meeting people able to commit to regular meetings which may include sitting on committees responsible for planning, finance and general purposes and neighbourhood planning. If you require more details please contact the Clerk Margo McFarlane on 859682 (during office hours) or hello@lenhamparish.gov.uk Thank you
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Lenham Parish Council The meeting was held on Wednesday 2nd July and the following items were discussed. Public Participation Mr George enquired when minutes should be displayed on notice boards, the Clerk confirmed usually after signature at the meeting of each month.
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Mr Llong presented photographs identifying a shortage of parking provision at the Lenham railway station, he was concerned that if extra development is implemented this will simply exasperate the already overcrowded situation. MBC should be fully aware of infrastructure concerns if such development progresses. Further discussion will take place at the Neighbourhood Plan public exhibition on 26th July. Mr Culver introduced himself and showed an interest in becoming a parish councillor as there are still two vacancies. PCSO Dave Rowley produced the crime figures; 9 crimes throughout June. Cllrs. highlighted concerns about the slow response time to incidents within the village. Community
Lenham Parish Council
Warden
Martin
Sherwood has recently delivered a booklet concerning electrical safety, copies are available at the library and will be on the LPC website. CCTV downloading training for Martin Sherwood, Dave Rowley, Cllrs. Jackson and Osborn will be organised with the company which installed the CCTV. There are concerns of anti-social behaviour involving smashing glass and littering the skate park area at the William Pitt field, which will need further investigation. Following the approval of the minutes from the 4th June, Mr Laurence Porter was co-opted onto the LPC and welcomed to join fellow members. Mr Porter is new to the area and brings a wealth of professional expertise to the Parish Council. Planning & Neighbourhood Plan Cllr. Godfrey reported on the meetings of 18th and 30th June. Preparation for the Neighbourhood Plan public exhibition were discussed, all members will endeavour to attend. In readiness for the 26th a workshop will be organised on 21st July to assist and train for future plan events. Cllr. Barr expressed concerns
from parishioners about the possible loss of green open spaces to housing development before the Neighbourhood Plan is effective. Borough Cllr. J Sams will discuss such concerns with MBC. Groom Way development Cllr. Osborn reported on progress with the three proposed local needs housing units, a site meeting will be organised with Golding Homes, MBC planning officer and Cllr. Osborn. The sale of the land adjacent to Northlands will conclude shortly, proceeds from the sale will allow the settlement of the outstanding Public Works Loan on the Community Centre, a turning point in the Parish finances. Highways and Transport Cllr. Jackson is obtaining quotes for a speed indicator device (SID) as speeding is recognised as a safety issue throughout the parish. Kent Highway services will meet with Cllrs. to review road maintenance issues, particularly Old Ashford Road from the Post Office to Groom Way which is in dire need of repair. A proposal to erect a 7.5 tonne HCV limit at the railway bridge on Headcorn Road was discussed, Cllrs. felt the sign would cause
confusion and road safety issues. Environment reports A number of maintenance items were discussed from tree work to mole and rabbit control. Grass cutting remains under control this season. Cherry Downs Picnic Site Cllr. Barr reported the picnic site was looking particularly colourful with the established wild meadow area in full flower. The area is a beautiful peaceful area, open to the public and a real asset to the parish, well worth a visit. Diary Date On Saturday 26th July the LPC will present a public exhibition of the proposed future developments throughout the parish. The display will be held in the Osborne room (unfortunately the main hall is unavailable due to floor maintenance)
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The next meeting of the LPC will be Wednesday 6th August 7.30pm in the Osborne room at the Community Centre. Parishioners are welcome to attend and there is always an opportunity to speak at the beginning of the evening at the Public Participation. Cllr. Colin Gillett LPC Chairman HC runs a day
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Homeless Care (formerly Maidstone Christian Care) is looking for one or two new trustees. centre for the homeless in Knightrider Street. Its shortterm aim is to provide immediate help to those who are homeless; its long-term objective is to help them back into society. It also operates a Food for Thought project which collects food from supermarkets and other sources and redistributes it to individuals and families in need.
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We are looking for trustees who will play an active part in the charity and be willing to devote some time to it – which probably means that we are looking for someone who is busy already since they are usually the ones that get jobs done. Trustees are unpaid. The
Charity
Commission
encourages charities to recruit as trustees men and women with particular experience and skills. This is not intended to limit candidates but to ensure that those who become trustees can make a worthwhile contribution. If you think that this is something you might like to undertake would you please ring or email either Mike Fitzgerald, Chairman of Homeless Care (743270; mike@ laxtondrive.co.uk) or David Bond, Treasurer (202239: dwbond@ blueyonder.co.uk) to arrange a meeting at which we can tell you more about Homeless Care and you can consider whether it is an activity of which you would like to be part.
Local Golfer Wins Bill’s Round Bill’s Round charity golf took place on the hottest day of the year so far at Bearsted Golf Club on Friday, 6 June with 29 taking part, including two ladies.
Homeless Care
Mike Kingsman from Lenham, well-known locally, won the trophy for the first time with 39 stableford points off a 17 handicap. He chose Leukaemia Research to receive the £505 raised.
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Continued... Three nearest the pin prizes and a coloured ball team competition added interest to the day which was rounded off with a splendid two course lunch. Over 160 golfers have taken part in Bill’s Round since it started in June 1998. If you haven’t joined in before and would like to take part, especially if you are new to the area, please contact me for full
details. (roger.bevan@btinternet. com). The next Bill’s Round charity golf event, “Bill’s Bonfire Round”, will take place close to 5 November. Full details will be announced later in the summer. Roger Bevan Bearsted Golf Club
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GENERAL / SOCIAL NUMBERS Archaeological Society Badgers (St Johns Ambulance) Badminton Bowling Club Brownies (2nd Lenham) Drama Gardening Society Guides (1st Lenham) Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Nursery School Lenham Players Lenham Wanderers Lenham Social Club Harrietsham & Lenham Beavers Harrietsham and Lenham Scouts Harrietsham and Lenham Cubs Mother’s Union Pilates Classes Redback Explorer Scouts Royal British Legion St John Ambulance Women’s Institute St Edmunds Platts Heath Country Ways Quilters and stitchers Lenham Valley Business Association
Lesley Feakes Mrs Manley Linda Bird Lyn Fuller Andrea French Gail Kelly Keith Varney Mrs J Thomsett Mrs Pat Abson Ami Rathmill Janet Moll Alf Smith Club Events Duncan Keenan Nick Still Mrs A Seales Mrs J Thomsett Vivien Elcomb Mark Horlock Mr W Peter Mrs Bond Mrs C Toner Karen Yardley Jan Haines Alan Reading
Borough Councillors: Kent Highway Services Dog Warden Cat Protection Drugs Helpline Heaths Countryside Corridor Lenham Enhancement Ass. Lenham Country Market Lenham Community Centre
John Barned (Roads, Pavements)
Lenham Heath Parish Hall LenValley Practice Non-Emergency NHS Care Member of Parliament Parish Council Clerk Parish Police PCSO Police Constable Rural Community Warden
Sharon Reed Doctors Surgery NHS Hugh Robertson MP Margo McFarlane Dave Rowley Brian Waghorne Martin Sherwood
Lost and Found FREE CALL Ruth Lovering Brian Llong Kevin Fitzsimons Margaret Mitchell
01622 850275 01622 842603 01233 756762 01622 851538 01622 851646 01622 850671 01622 850228 01622 859009 01622 858561 07967 128056 01622 850747 01622 859802 01622 858890 07768 926654 01622 859789 01622 859829 01622 859009 01622 853887 07789 226516 01622 850520 01622 205452 01622 850048 01622 858208 01233 714699 01622 820841 01622 851142 03000 418181 01622 602117 01732 847572 0800 776600 01622 842257 01622 859733 01622 679709 01622 853800 (am) 01622 858581 (pm) 01233 713317 01622 858341/859204 111 01622 851616 01622 859682 07772 226097 07870 252317 07977 981993
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Accounting & Business Services Air Conditioners Alarm Systems Architectural Services Barbers Builders/decorators
Businss Consultant Butchers/Meat Carpentry Carpets/Flooring Caterers Catteries 34
Charted Surveyor Childminder Chimney Sweep Chiropody Cleaning/Housekeeping Computer Services
Cosmetic Clinic Counselling Service Dance Dressmaking/alterations Electricians/Gas fitters
Estate Agents Fitness
Contact Numbers
Stonebridge Associates 851542 RB Air 07751466536 Cybereye Security 858612 Kent Design Studio 01580 230413 Sweeney Todd 07734950329 Alpha 762164 Andy and Paul 850437 Apollo 07808414965 Elwood (Painter/decorators) 01634308933 KRS Building/decorating 851126 KSE Home Improvements 851400 Lenham Decorating Services 858565 SR Interiors (painters/decorators) 737225 Stuttle Dyer (painters/decorators) 01233 840004 Nick Posener 851931 G B Lister 858220 Snoad Farm 01795890700 Carpentry and General Building 850364 P Humpries 858719 Carpets direct 01233714999 Beaubray Caterers 763269 Little Dene Boarding Cattery 858510 Inkstand cattery 859469 James Collett 850608 Debbie Brett 01233714247 Invicta Chimney Sweep 01622 632641 Afeneh Smith (mobile service) 853640 Heathers Chiropody Surgery 850376 Amy McLaughlin 07813030527 Phynix Domestic cleaning 880028 A.C. Computers 850462 Harrietsham Computers 859442 Lynn 745654 MS Computer services 859969 The LenValley Cosmetic Clinic 852905 Prism 07554336626 Lenham Ballet School 850329 Pam Hills 858827 AD Pink Electrics 884774 Barrie Weston Contractor 01233712663 Electrical Solutions 858794 Invicta Power Services/ Gas Fitters 850930 MGI Electrical 850055 Philip Jarvis 858241 Activate Body and Soul 853750
Funeral Directors Gardeners
Garages Greetings Cards Grocers Glass and Glazing Hairdressers Hall Hire Handbags and Jewellery Holiday Let Landscaping Locksmiths Logs Newsagents Osteopathy Pest Control Pet Food Pharmacy Plumbers Pool Services Pubs Restaurant Roofing Schools Solicitors Taxi Tree Surgeons TV Ariels Veterinary Surgery Will Services
A W Court 850840 Just a Mow 859940 The Big Mow 07871088119 Mower Repairs 07989333145 Belmont Gardens 01795 590243 Gowers Garage 858210 Tricia Oliver 859226 Lenham Village Store 858255 Glass n glaze 01233840768 Phase Hairdressing 850001 Smarty’s 851150 Bow Window 858787 Lenham Comm Centre 853800 Charing Heath Hall 01233 713317 Immyblingy 298129 Dorset Cottage 851766 Ireland Landscapes 844605 Maidstone Landscapes and Paving 851222 A Short 07738658751 Seasoned Logs 07733328715 Len Valley news 858262 Graham Yates Bsc Ost (Hons) 01304379954 A D Pink 884774 Pest Purge 842481 Natural Instinct 07905928247 Saxon Warrior 858287 All Fix Plumbing 851186 Epic Plumbimg 210298 Pure Plumbing 769722 J W Engineering Services 851713 The White Horse 859511 Lenham Social Club 858890 Leeds Castle 767777 Carter Roofing 01795886084 R and D Roofing 858291 Paul Grant Roofing 850855 Lorenden 01795590030 Thornloe and Co. 859416 Arshed Mahmood 07770725129 Gez Clark 07784447200 Ambilly Tree Surgeons 859113 R & P TV ariel services 631717 Harrietsham Vets 858666 Maidstone Wills and trusts 01580 292320
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Regular Daily & Weekly Events Daily
Activate Fitness Facilites
Monday Tuesday
Wednesday
St Johns Ambulance Badminton (Feathers) Parent & Toddlers Group Harr & Lenham Cubs Lenham Badminton Club Lenham Youth Club H/sham&Lenham Beavers St Johns Ambulance Lenham Youth Club Pilates classes
Messy Mums Babies + Toddlers Line Dancing LenARA Thursday Brownies 2nd Lenham Pilates classes Line Dancing Redbacks Explorer Scouts Friday
Guides 1st Lenham H/sham&Lenham Scouts Judo Club LenARA Keep Fit Lenham Youth Club
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Saturday Sunday
Activate Fitness Facilites French Books for Children Tea/Coffee/Cakes Sunday Schools
Activate Sports Swadelands 7am--8.30am & 5pm--9pm St Johns Hall, Ham Lane 4.30- 6.00pm 7.00-9.15pm Community Centre 8.-10.00pm Community Centre 9.30-11.30am (8-11 years) 6.30- 8.pm Community Centre 8.pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Harrietsham Scout Hut 5.45- 7.15.pm Cadets (10-18) 6.00-8.00pm Swadelands Ham Lane 7.00-9.30pm Community Centre 7.00pm-8.00pm 8.30 -9.30pm St Mary’s Church 10.30-12 Term Community Centre 7.30- 9.00pm Lenham Primary Sch 6.15- 7.45pm Community Centre 11.30-12.30pm St Edmunds Platts Hth 8.pm Kingswood Scout Hut 7.15-9.15pm Community Centre Harrietsham Scout Hut Community Centre Community Centre Swadelands Ham Lane
7.00- 9.00pm 7.30- 9.30pm 5.30- 8.30pm 2.00- 3.30pm 7.30-10.00pm
Activate Sports Hall Swadelands 8am- 5pm Harrietsham Primary School 9.30-11.30am St Mary’s Church 10.00-12.00noon see separate church services page
Monthly Events 2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 2nd Tuesday 1st Tuesday 1st Wednesday 4th Wednesday Last Wednesday 1st Thursday 2nd Thursday 3rd Thursday Last Saturday 2nd Sunday
Derby & Joan Royal British Legion Citizens Advice Bureau Lenham Valley Parish Council Meeting LenARA (active retired) Archaeology Club Reading Group Women’s Institute Lenham Gardening Soc. Len&Har. Disability Grp Lenham Country Market
Regular Daily & Weekly Events
Lenham House Lenham Social Club Harrietsham Village Hall Business Association Community Centre Community Centre Community Centre Lenham Library Community Centre Community Centre Lenham House The Village Square
2.00pm 8.pm 10.-12noon 6-8pm 7.30pm 2.pm 7.30pm 4.45--5.45pm 7.30pm 7.30pm 10.30am 9.- 1.00pm
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Christian Message for August 2014 The last week has been one of emotional farewell and motivational ‘what’s next’ speeches. I’ve attended a campus closure reception, a graduation ceremony, a leaving lunch and an ordination service. There have been tears, laughter, fond farewells and a few glasses of bubbly to boot: so many endings and yet, so many new beginnings too. This is the time of year when a lot of people are looking at new careers whether in education, the arts, the Church or as yet, unspecified. 38
There are certain words which amuse me as they always crop up. You can’t listen to much about education without ‘pedagogy’ and ‘league tables’ raising their heads, let alone the favourites in an art environment such as ‘creative’ ‘innovative’ and ‘cutting edge’. Whether looking back or forward, in every field, ‘extraordinary’ and ‘achievement’ are of relevance. In regard to what’s next, the emphasis is on ‘diligence’ and ‘focus’ or conversely ‘adaptability’ in order to achieve one’s goals. All commendable and all relevant but quite daunting for the student or colleague who really doesn’t know what’s next and who, after hearing such speeches, could
Christian Message for August 2014
be forgiven for asking “will I ever match up?” or “I really can’t do all that, can I ?” In order to redress the ‘high achievement’ balance I’d add a few extra ingredients for encouragement. My essential words would be simpler: ‘Faith’: trust in God. He has an amazing plan for you and it is bound to be bigger than anything you, your tutors or your employers have already thought of. Philippians 4:13 says ‘I can do all things through him who strengthens me’. ‘Hope’: fail, fail and fail again, but every time, brush off the bruised pride and ‘fail a bit better’. Most of us take several attempts to get really good at the things that are important to us. Rarely are life’s skills learned overnight. Joshua 10:25 tells us ‘Joshua said to them, “ Do not be afraid or dismayed; be strong and courageous...”’ ‘Charity’: be generous with your time and talents, towards your colleagues and your employer, without counting the cost. 2 Corinthians 9:7 reminds us that ‘Each of you must give as you have
made up your mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.’ Most important of all ‘Love’: Carry out every task with integrity and regard to how it affects those around you. In Romans 12:9 we hear that ‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good’. During the ordination service I attended, each participant was asked several questions to which they replied “by the help of God, I will”. Armed with a few words from the Bible even the meekest among us can prayerfully reassure
ourselves that “God willing, I can do it”. Pamela Cuerden Bible quotations from the New Revised Standard Version Church Flowers At St Mary’s 4th July Mrs Nahab 11th and 19th July Mrs Greenwood 26th July and 2nd Aug Mrs Porter/Mrs Barr Brass cleaning: Mrs Congdon Following a request from the
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One-way traffic system in School Lane and Green Lane, Platts Heath Clerk at Boughton Malherbe Parish Council to discuss the suggestion of a one-way traffic system in School Lane and Green Lane Platts Heath, it was agreed to ask residents of Platts Heath their opinion. An article in the May edition of the Focus magazine, notices on LPC boards and website coverage produced numerous responses, both by telephone and
in writing. The overall consensus was antione way traffic for several reasons. Householders in School Lane were concerned about access to driveways, as some can only exit or enter their driveway from one direction; there was also a problem with large vehicles, which are unable to access the road from the top end, in particular the
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Continued...
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regular refuse lorry collections which have to reverse from the north end to south. Obviously the use of the St Edmunds Hall (a vital community asset) could be impeded by the implementation of a one-way system due to the lack of space for reversing into the limited parking spaces. Several responses highlighted concerns relating to inconsiderate parking by drivers dropping off and collecting children attending the Platts Heath Primary School (another vital community asset). It was felt a one-way system may speed traffic up in
an area where young children congregate. Overall a general lack of respect for residents’ access to their drives and the blocking of the highway were perennial problems. The use of the school field for parking was suggested or perhaps the provision of a school mini bus? All the responses were discussed by Councillors and Lenham Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who responded and to confirm after full consideration no further action will be considered. Margo McFarlane (Clerk)
Parish Grants Lenham Parish Council recognises the valuable contribution from the many community clubs and societies we are fortunate enough to have within the parish. Historically, and for the foreseeable future, the council will support such groups with donations to carry on their sterling work. However, due to continuing cuts in public sector funding, we need to ensure the donations are distributed for Continued...
the best benefit of the community. Following discussions at the annual budget meeting it was decided to implement a new system for allocating such monies. Applications for a donation will be considered and awarded on merit; an application does not necessarily mean a payment will be made. Written applications with full details of how the donation will be utilised can be sent to Margo
Continued... McFarlane (Clerk) 13 Mercer Drive Harrietsham ME17 1AY or email hello@lenhamparish.org. uk,. Alternatively you are welcome to attend the August 6th meeting held at the Community Centre 7.30pm in the Osborne room to
request a donation. The closing date for applications is September 12th, payments will be made after consideration at the October council meeting. Lenham Parish Council
The winners of Sweeney Todd Barbershop’s HAIRCUTS were:Name:- From:Spencer Clark Harrietsham George Pout Grafty Green Russell Bushnell Challock Doug Simpson Harrietsham Bob Metland Kingswood Ewan Drylie Lenham Joe Lipetzidis Harrietsham Sid Gregory. Harrietsham Guy Smith. Harrietsham The winners of Sweeney Todd Barbershop’s WINE were:-
Richard Cushion Lenham The winners of Sweeney Todd Barbershop’s SWEETS were:-
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Rex Baker Stalisfield Ollie Mathews Charing Ruben Ottal Pluckley Reece Morris Doddington Stuart Austin Harrietsham Lucas Tong Harrietsham Charlie Williams Lenham
Jordan Freeman. Lenham Paul Newnham Lenham Richard Fordham Challock Derrick Morris Pluckley Barry Wood Lenham Liam Greene Pluckley Lee Cooper Charing Adam Bond Maidstone Michael Gould Egerton
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Curtain Up on The Lenham Players
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It all started in 1961 when a group of drama enthusiasts between the ages of 15 and 65 got together and formed The Lenham Players. That group included Kathleen Cooke, Natalie (Paddy) Greenwood (now Quitard), Tony Hull and his wife Jean (now Jean Cockett). Their first production was Barnet’s Folly, a three act comedy with Donald Bain, then a well-known director, in charge. Since then they have done the village proud. They have presented well over one hundred plays and shows and are still active today with an admirable reputation in local drama. So if you’re new to the village and haven’t yet seen them - or have managed to live here for donkeys’ years without seeing them - you’re missing out big time! David Abson, an active member for 46 years, recalls some notable productions over the years. These, he says, ‘include
Swadelands Annual Awards Evening
Gigi in 1966 when local youngster Sherry Cuckow, whose parents ran the newsagents shop that used to be in Honywood Road, was headlined for her performance in the eponymous role.’ Once a Lenham Player always a Lenham Player, it seems, for Sue Greenwood has been a member since the very early days and her husband Richard once appeared as Lord Cut Glass in the production of Under Milk Wood which featured a huge cast of characters who managed a sparkling show on the tiny stage of the old Village Hall. ‘Things are so much easier now, in some respects,’ David says ‘for we have a splendid new Community Centre with a much better stage.’ ‘In 2007,’ he recalls, ‘we saw our beloved retired GP Martin Porter appear in a major role in Bob Larbey’s A Month of Sundays, something we shall always remember for all his fear of
forgetting his lines! We even had Tom Baker appear in one of our revues!’ Nevertheless, ‘Getting people to go on stage,’ he finds, ’is very difficult in these busy times and the Players are always looking for newcomers to keep local drama alive.’ The group is admirably equipped technically, thanks to the magnificent work of Ivor Tapsfield from Hollingbourne, the cooperation of the Community Centre, and Ivor’s wife, Mary, who is the current chairman of the Players. She took the helm after the very sad death of Linda Gemmell who used to travel from Marden, such was her enthusiasm. Many of the current stalwarts of the Lenham Players come from other villages, such as Hollingbourne and Charing. Glenn Bryan, a talented writer from Hollingbourne, has written plays especially for the Lenham Players which have been very successful. Unfortunately one initiative is
currently stalled. Plans to restore the once fruitful Youth Group have been made very difficult by the modern legislation which requires qualified supervision. Looking ahead, however, mark your calendars for 7th and 8th November when the Players will be presenting Quartet by Ronald Harwood, whose recent film of the play was such a success. David says, ‘It has a strong cast and should be well worth an evening out with a nice bottle of wine.’ All the world’s a stage, as Bill Shakespeare said, but Lenham is lucky to have a first class group to play on it! So, as David says, ‘Come along and join us - don’t be worried if you’ve no previous experience because we’d love to see you. At the very least, come along and have a good evening out at one of our shows.’
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Text by Jim Myers
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One Moment In Rhyme
Lenham Focus Reading through Focus a thought came to me Why don’t I offer to write some of my poetry? Must be right first time, no chance to rehearse this Four lines at a time and incorporate six verses Without further ado let’s get to the point And Lenham’s new poet let’s proudly anoint I’m joking, I’m kidding I’m sure not a Saint Many things I may be, but that’s one thing I ain’t
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Each month in Lenham Focus I’d like to write A few lines of rhyme to please or excite I can do my own thing, there’s nothing to lose But the subject I write on can be one that you choose So if you have a request for my monthly slot Send in the subject and I’ll show what I’ve got It can be funny, light hearted or sometimes just sad But I’ll do my very best to make sure it’s not bad Lenham is lovely, village life is just great Just recently we had a wonderful school fete Coconuts, beers and countless jam tarts And kids in the school hall flying round on go-karts Well that’s my first shot, for many the first time That they’ve seen the work of One Moment In Rhyme I hope I’m asked back to write poem number two But that’s down to the editors and requests from you Mark Godfrey One Moment In Rhyme
Bespoke poetry from One Moment In Rhyme – www.onemomentinrhyme.homestead.com Tel: 07720 401749. Email: info@onemomentinrhyme.com One Moment In Rhyme
Church Services Sunday 3rd August – 7th Sunday after Trinity 9.30am at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Family Worship 9.30am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 11am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Holy Communion 11.15am at All Saints, Ulcombe: Family Worship Sunday 10th August – 8th Sunday after Trinity 8am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: BCP Holy Communion 9.30am at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Holy Communion 11.00am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Morning Worship 11.15am at All Saints, Ulcombe: Holy Communion 6.30pm at St. Nicholas Boughton Malherbe: Choral Evensong
Sunday 24th August – 10th Sunday after Trinity 8am at St. Mary’s Lenham: BCP Holy Communion 9.30 at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Holy Communion 9.30am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Family Worship 11am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Family Worship 11.15am at All Saints, Ulcombe: Holy Communion Sunday 31st August - 11th Sunday after Trinity 10.00am All Saints, Ulcombe: Benefice Praise with Holy Communion.
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Sunday 17th August - 9th Sunday after Trinity 9.30 at St. John the Baptist, Harrietsham: Morning Worship 9.30am at St. Nicholas, Boughton Malherbe: Holy Communion 11am at St. Mary’s, Lenham: Holy Communion 11.15am at All Saints, Ulcombe: Morning Worship
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Emilia’s Little Heart With preparations for this year’s Hope Ball on Saturday 18th October you would have thought things would have been a bit quieter for the charity, however we seem to be gaining support and fundraising from all directions across the county.
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Donations Thank you to everyone who donated in memory of Elaine Collett, it was so touching to read some comments of the people who donated. Overall £1250.00 was raised. Elaine was a great friend and provided so much support for the work of the charity; with this money we will buy something specific that I will know is in her memory. We have been so impressed with the efforts of young people to support the work of the charity recently and two young girls who attend West Malling Primary Academy sold cakes at a West Malling church service recently and raised over £90. Well done girls, they must have been so busy baking cakes, and I know everyone who bought them really enjoyed them. Thank you again to the Village Store in Lenham for hosting one
Emilia’s Little Heart
of our collection boxes, this raises about £100 a year for the charity which is fantastic. We only buy things that cost very little money such as stickers, and £100 can buy thousands of stickers. If you have the opportunity to have one of our collection boxes in your place of work please drop us an email to emiliaslittleheart@gmail.com. Fundraising The summer fete season has come to a close for fundraising for the charity with people supporting us at the Lenham Family Festival, Teynham C of E Primary School and Lenham Primary School, with over £150. We will use this money to buy art and crafts ready for the summer holidays to be used in the local hospitals. Thank you to all the children who came and created a suncatcher, bracelet or key ring. We have had a great introduction to being the Mayor of Tonbridge and Malling Sasha Luck’s Charity of the Year, with an invitation to the Mayor-Making Ceremony and the Civic Service at West Malling Church. Lots is planned for the year to promote us as her charity as well as try and raise funds for us. Look out for future editions of the Focus to see what is on. All the money raised throughout the year
will be given to a larger project at Pembury Paediatric ward or assessment at Maidstone. I was invited in July to take part in Teynham C of E Primary School’s assembly where the children in Year 6 told me about their business week and how they had raised over £400 for the charity. It was fantastic to see young people so enthused about making a difference to their peers’ hospital experience. They are going to choose some specific items to buy for William Harvey Hospital , and we look forward to telling you about those next time. Where the money goes! We have recently purchased some more items for the art and craft club at the Evelina in preparation for the school holidays. QEQM, Margate and Kent and Canterbury will be receiving a camera and photo printer soon. This will enable them to take photos to be able to create scrapbooks for the children. Thanks to Teynham School we have now had our pre-assessment cards printed by Lotus Design and Print and they are being delivered to the hospitals. These can be
used as reward cards, where the children get a stamp on the card each time they do something brave and will receive a reward at the end of the card completion. Upcoming events for the diary! You may have already seen if you follow us on Facebook and Twitter that Victoria’s Caberet Club are hosting a night on Friday 19th September with entertainment, a two-course dinner and raffle for only £25.00 per head.
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Also the big annual event of the year The Hope Ball is advertised and tickets are available now. The date for your diary is Saturday 18th October 2014. If you have been before you will know that it is the charity’s way of thanking their supporters, having fun with a live band, guest speaker, auction and raffle, and a great way to raise money for a specific project. It is held at the Mercure Hotel, Hollingbourne, and people who book early to come to the event can make a weekend of it by getting a discount on a hotel room too.
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Lenham Primary School
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www.lenham.kent.sch.uk
apple, cherry and cobnut tree.
Another busy term at Lenham Primary School – here’s a look at just some of the things that have been happening in school.
Two pupils from the class - Milly and Nathan - were chosen to represent our school, as they had shown exceptional interest and creativity in the project from its beginning. They went along to County Hall on the evening of the celebrations and acted as tour guides of the garden to the VIPs present. As part of their role, they had the opportunity to meet dignitaries from Kent County Council, Paralympics GB youngest ever competitor and flag-bearer at the Sochi 2014 games, Millie Knight, Olympic and Commonwealth swimmer Chris Cook, double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes and Gold medallist in the skeleton in Sochi, Lizzie Yarnold.
Animate Arts During May, Class 4 had the opportunity to work with artists from Animate Arts Company . Kent County Council commissioned the company as part of their Inspire : Legacy Programme to create a Garden of England made entirely of paper and card at County Hall in Maidstone. The garden was part of the celebrations on the 5th of June when The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Commonwealth Games arrived in Maidstone. Ten schools in the Maidstone area were chosen to be a part of the project; each with their own section of the garden to make. Class 4 created a willow,
Lenham Primary School
All of the VIPs were incredibly impressed with the garden. Dame Kelly Holmes said, “I’ve seen a lot
of art work when I’ve visited places and this is by far the best thing I’ve ever seen!” BBC Radio Kent also described the garden as “the crowning glory” and “absolutely spectacular”. The school also received a letter from KCC’s Head of Culture and Sport thanking Class 4 for their work in the project, adding: “The garden that you created was simply beautiful, and the detail within it captivating.” Well done Class 4! Green Travel Mark - Gold We have great pleasure in informing you that we have earned a Green Travel Mark as a result of our participation in the KM Walk to School scheme. As a result of the wonderful efforts the pupils, parents and staff have made, we are entitled to use the logo on our headed paper, website and newsletter to parents to show the environmental passion of Lenham Primary School. “On behalf of both the KM Charity Team and the Council, we would like to thank you for helping to reduce school-run journeys, pollution and road congestion and for encouraging healthy lifestyles for your pupils”.
Olympic Swimmer Visits School On Wednesday 18th June, Olympic and Commonwealth swimmer Chris Cook came to visit our school as part of KCC’s Inspire: Legacy Through Role Models project. This is Chris’ second visit to the school as we got to meet him in 2012 when he came in and spoke to the school about his experiences as a competitive swimmer. On this visit, he lead a whole school assembly on motivation and feeling proud of one’s own achievements. He then led workshops with years 3, 4 and 5 and worked with them on topics such as barriers to success, making excuses and learning by pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. The workshops were great fun and were interspersed with games and video clips.
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Chris then went to Swadelands with the Year 6s, where he led races, games and even helped coach stroke technique for a few lucky individuals, in the newly reopened pool. In the evening he tweeted: “Lenham is an awesome school— well done!”
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Shopping online or in the home, more protection for consumers on or after 13th June ‘14 There are new rules which give you more protection when you shop online or if you buy from a salesperson in your home. The rules also cover you if you download or stream digital content, such as a movie or a game. The main changes include:
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• you must be given clear and upfront information before you buy and when you decide to make the purchase. This includes information about your cancellation rights • you’ll have up to 14 days to change your mind about something you bought and get a refund – this is known as a cooling-off period and was previously only 7 days long. But you’ll have to return the unwanted product within 14 days of the cancellation, and in good condition • traders will have to be open about any fees, so they can no longer hide costs such as fees or payment charges. You won’t have to pay for any ‘extras’ you weren’t told about before you made the purchase. In addition, websites and paperwork will be banned from including pre-ticked boxes for additional payments, such as
Shopping Online or In the Home
for insurance or warranties. The new law is known as The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Charges) Regulations 2013 and the changes started on 13 June. As well as shopping online, the new rules cover shopping over the phone or by mail order, and other ways of buying away from trader’s premises, for example at your workplace or in the street. An off-premises sale is where you buy something or sign up to something in a place which is not trade premises, for example in your home or in the street. When you buy in this way, you may have a right to cancel the contract if you change your mind. Examples of things often bought off-premises include: • double glazing • burglar alarms • equipment to help disabled people • gardening services • repairs to your house (for example roof repairs) • gas or electricity supplies • items bought from home parties - for example jewellery or clothes
Your right to cancel an offpremises sale If you buy something in an offpremises sale that costs more than £42, you usually get a period of time to cancel the contract. This is called the cooling-off period and usually lasts for 14 days. The trader must give you • a cancellation form • specific information about your right to cancel. What counts as off-premises? A sale will count as off-premises if it happens away from the trader’s business premises. This includes: • in your home • at your workplace • in the street, for example, when a salesperson approaches and persuades you to buy something or sign up for a service. This counts even if they immediately take you to a business premise to sign the paperwork or send you an email to complete the contract • in someone else’s home – for example, at a jewellery or underwear party • at a sales event or campaign organised by the trader, for
example, in a hotel • on a trip that aims to sell or goods or services, for example, when a trader meets you on holiday and invites you to go with them to a different venue to sell you something like time-share For more information go to www. adviceguide.org.uk or ring 03454 04 05 06 Cold callers If you want to deter doorstep sellers, you can put a ‘no cold calling’ sticker near your front door. If a trader ignores this, it could be a criminal offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. If a trader keeps ignoring your sticker you can report them to Trading Standards. More on how to get a ‘no cold callers sign’, at: www.moneysavingexpert. com or ask your Kent Community Warden, Martin Sherwood for a yellow sticker. Mobile: 07977 981 993 Email: martin.sherwood@kent.gov. uk
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Prize Crossword Please leave your completed crossword entry at LENHAM LIBRARY on or before the 20th of the month
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Across clues 1. Pearls on wrong? That’s my business! (8) 5. Source of light is cold with the French. (6) 8. French rejection means almost nothing. (3) 9. Home worth a lot? That is priceless. (10) 10. Lying on a limb? (8) 11. Medicine for an ‘orderly’ man. (6) 12. Brand new herb. (4) 14. Beef with a metal border? (10) 17. One riding behind a horse to support hiding a disturbance. (10) 20. Grass eaten by backward animal. (4) 23. Flags and lets go, having nothing inside. (6) 24. Surgeon controlling the phone. (8) 25. A late writer! (10) 26. Vineyard is rough, but not of the French. (3) 27. Part of agricultural tool has ten variations. (6) 28. Hike after famous programme. (8)
Down clues 1. Dad and batty lady made me initially in charge of the whole view. (9) 2. Called double zero number to reach here until 1989. (7) 3. Pork chop I ate could bring relief. (6) 4. One who holds the seventh day to be so important. (9) 5. Pudding makes cooks start to show sign of hunger. (7) 6. This could put an end to a good wheeze. (9) 7. Pull fish back towards the wind. (7) 13. One causing fear first. (9) 15. Usually picturesque opinion. (9) 16. Your reported poor score gets the bird. (5,4) 18. Weapon for acting Marx brother? (7) 19. School leaver’s remedy is unclear. (7) 21. Reticent, almost changing into one who attracts. (7) 22. Hole left by price in outskirts of Conyer. (6) Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus
Success comes from working together.
Networking is about . . . making business easier. This is what a member said about Lenham Valley Business Association: “As an independent retailer in Lenham. It gives us the opportunity to meet and network with other business that we might not have had the opportunity to meet.” Jemma Cockell, Little Country Garden, Lenham
As always we have some fantastic speakers lined up for you, see below for who, when and where (you can attend up to two presentations without commitment to LVBA: • Tuesday 5 August at The Oak in Charing. Speaker Linda Cloke (top right), Lyoness. • Tuesday 2 September at The Dog & Bear, Lenham. Our speaker is Deborah Turner from You - Image Consultancy, (right) telling us we only get 7 seconds to make a first impression. • Tuesday 7 October at The White Horse, Sandway. Speaker Claire Bridger (bottom right), Business Development, Mid Kent College. • Tuesday 4 November at The Holiday Inn. • Tuesday 2 December joint networking with South Maidstone Business Association at Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham. LVBA member or not you can come along for free, you just have to register online or phone 01622 820841
. t i e k i l t h g i m t s u j Try it - you New members and one off visitors welcome or you can try it out for free we are sure you’ll like networking with LVBA. Please register on our website, on the online registration page. Events are organised and presented by Alan Reading who has been networking from before it was called networking! Keep up to date (& to join) www.lenhambusiness.co.uk or call 01622 820841
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Last months crossword solution Last months winner was Mrs. Frances Mackay of Allington.
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The Hope Ball 2014 Charity Ball to raise money for a larger project to provide play for children in hospital Drinks reception ***Three course set meal with half a bottle of wine***guest speaker (Bob ‘the Cat’ Bevan)***raffle and auction***live music from local band ***£45.00 per head For further information and to purchase/reserve tickets contact Claire Webb on 07727274288/emiliaslittleheart@gmail.com registered charity:1145863 65
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Published by Lenham Focus Lenham Focus is published by the Lenham Focus Team. Any opinions expressed are those of the contributors and not the publishers. 67 Every care is taken in compiling the contents of the magazine to ensure that they are correct and accurate at the time of printing and the publishers accept no responsibility for any errors or omissions. The publication of advertisements does not constitute an endorsement by the publishers. Authors of articles and advertisements in Focus take full responsibility to ensure they obtain any prior permission for use of copyright materials. Focus is Distributed by Volunteers to: Lenham Village, Lenham Heath, Platts Heath, Sandway, West Street, Woodside Green and Warren Street. For ‘Out of Town’ Readers Distribution Natwest Bank Lenham, Chequers Fish Bar, Lenham Post Office, Len Valley Newsagents and Harrietsham Post Office. Visit lenhamfocus.co.uk Follow us @lenhamfocus
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